The American Baptist News Service has issued a press release about Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the controversy about him in the media. I am posting it below. First, I want to share some thoughts of my own. Rev. Wright, the retired pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, has been vilified in the media for some excerpts from some of his sermons deemed to be un-American, non-patriotic and anti-Christian. I do not know Rev. Wright personally nor have I ever heard him preach in person; however, there are several people whom I hold in high regard who hold Rev. Wright in great esteem. For seven years I was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton, NY, the Mother Church of Colgate University. Rev. Wright was invited to preach the Baccalaureate sermon at Colgate in 1998 (after I came to the West Henrietta Baptist Church). He was one of two to whom Colgate rewarded honorary degrees at their Commencement that year (the other was New York Governor George Pataki). Neil Grabois, the president of Colgate, said that Rev. Wright's voice "is consistently raised for the radical inclusivity of the human community and whose rooting is profoundly biblical." I would point out that it is unfair to judge any preacher by taking a few small quotes out of context. Take for example, Jesus' words: "“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26). It is proper not only to pray that God bless America but also recognize that all nations, including America, stand under the judgment and righteous condemnation of God for their sins. It is not just black preachers who have pointed this out. Read Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address -http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/inaug2.htm Note also the words of Thomas Jefferson (inscribed on his memorial in Washington, D.C.) - "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever." Jefferson's words, as were Lincoln's, were in regard to slavery.There are many sins for which God should damn American. There are many sins for which God should damn me.I would encourage those of you who have broadband Internet connections to listen to Rev. Wright's remarks in context. See the article and video here - http://www.alternet.org/blogs/election08/80481/See this video which contains the "God damn America" remark - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6LwLastly, see this video where Wright preaches on Jesus' unending love, not hate -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqphQcOUI4A&feature=relatedThis is from the American Baptist News Service -

American Baptist Church Leaders And Head Of United Church Of Christ Speak Out For Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 03/24/08) — In a letter to American Baptists and the wider religious community,National Ministries’ Executive Director, Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III calls for consideration of the life-long ministry of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. and his foundational contribution to the prophetic tradition of the black church in America. Wright-Riggins’ letter follows below in its entirety and introduces statements made by three other prominent American Baptist pastors and authors. Also included is an analysis by the Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ.From The Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins, IIIThe Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. is the retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ inChicago where presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama is a long-term member. Dr. Wright is also a Judson Press author. Among other works, he has published From One Brother to Another: Voices of African American Men, Volume 2; What Makes You So Strong?—Sermons of Joy and Strength and Good News!—Sermons of Hope for Today’s Families. He was the keynote speaker for a major Evangelism Convocation that American Baptist Churches National Ministries held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. in 1992. He is a founder of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, an ecumenical forum and working group of prophetic African American church clergy and lay leaders, of which I am a member.Click here to read more - http://www.abc-usa.org/news/2008/20080324a.htmAndrew C. JayneAmerican Baptist Churches USAMission Resource Developmenthttp://www.abc-usa.org/

Even a casual reader of the Gospels would notice that Jesus pretty much experienced life as an outsider. He spent some of his early life in Egypt because it was too dangerous for him to remain in his homeland. Some interpreters have speculated that the young Jesus also might have experienced some isolation because of his questionable parentage. His own outsider status, no doubt, contributed to his tendency to befriend other outsiders like tax collectors, lepers, and the despised Samaritans. Jesus’ championing of outsiders only made him more an outsider. As our mothers told us, you do become known by the company you keep. He became known as a “friend of sinners” At last he died “outside the gate” (Hebrews 3:12) as the ultimate outsider.It seemed that Jesus never missed an opportunity to praise an outsider whether it be the faith of a Roman centurion (Romans 8:10), the prayer of a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), the gratitude of a Samaritan leper (Luke 17:11-19), or the courage and generosity of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).No doubt, if Jesus were among us today, he would continue to challenge our prejudices by telling stories wherein the heroes were outsiders.Who would be the outsiders in Jesus’ stories today? No doubt he would tell us at least one story in which an illegal immigrant would be the featured character. Such a story would be easy to find. One happened just a few days ago.A 45 year old woman was killed in a car wreck on Thanksgiving Day. She had taken her 9 year old son camping just north of the Mexican border. The boy’s father had died 2 months earlier. The woman lost control of her vehicle on a U.S. Forest Service road. Her van vaulted into a canyon and landed 300 feet from the road. She did not die immediately, but she was pinned in the vehicle. The boy, unhurt but disoriented, crawled out to get help and was found about two hours later by Jesus Manuel Cordova, 26. Unable to pull the mother out, he comforted the boy while they waited for help. The woman died a short time later.Here is the account as reported in an Associated Press article with information given by Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada:"He stayed with him, told him that everything was going to be all right," Estrada said.As temperatures dropped, he gave him a jacket, built a bonfire and stayed with him until about 8 a.m. Friday, when hunters passed by and called authorities, Estrada said. The boy was flown to University Medical Center in Tucson as a precaution but appeared unhurt."We suspect that they communicated somehow, but we don't know if he knows Spanish or if the gentleman knew English," Estrada said of the boy."For a 9-year-old it has to be completely traumatic, being out there alone with his mother dead," Estrada said. "Fortunately for the kid, (Cordova) was there. That was his angel."Cordova was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents, who were the first to respond to the call for help. He had been trying to walk into the U.S. when he came across the boy...Cordova likely saved the boy, Estrada said, and his actions should remind people not to quickly characterize illegal immigrants as criminals.No doubt, Jesus is proud that Mr. Cordova bears his name.